Objective: To compare the efficiency and safety of femoral artery hemostasis after coronary angiography (CAG) between manual compression and mechanical compression.

Materials and methods: A retrospective comparative study of 937 patients who had arterial sheath off after successful CAG conducted in Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Heart Center, Songklanagarind Hospital. Data collected included clinical characteristics, method for hemostasis and vascular complications. Results were presented as mean, standard deviation and differences in efficiency and safety were compared using t-test or chi-square test where appropriate.

Results: The mechanical compression group was significant used in younger (58.9±11.3 and 61.9±10.6 yrs), higher weight (64.4±12.9 and 60.5±12.5kg), male patient (69.5% and 62.0%), higher hematocrit (38.6±4.9 and 37.5±5.1%) and higher heparin dose (1,757.9±407.3 and 1,362.1±479.9 unit). Blood pressure, platelet count and sheath size were similar in the two groups. Duration of compression was significant longer in mechanical compression (26.3±5.9 and 18.2±8.1 min). Uneventful vascular complication occurred in 12.4% in mechanical compression group and 1.3% in manual compression group (p<0.000). There was no patient dead.

Conclusion: The efficiency and safety of hemostasis after CAG in manual compression were better than mechanical compression. Factor related to vascular complication was the mechanical compression method.

Key words: coronary angiography, hemostasis, manual compression, mechanical compression